Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), has wrapped up the first edition of its 'Career Academy' program.

The initiative attracted almost 60 high school students, who participated in multiple activities designed to provide insight into potential career tracks.
QCDC director Abdulla al-Mansoori expressed pride in the program and congratulated the students on taking a step towards exploring career paths that fall in line with their aspirations and serve the nation's development objectives.
"We should be aware that our actions have an impact on our nation, particularly when it comes to bringing together the competencies of our youth and the country's prosperity and growth drivers. In this context, QCDC's activities are designed to help students pursue career paths that are in line with their personal aspirations and in the interests of our nation," said al-Mansoori.
The program, which took place over the course of two weeks, included field trips to both private and public institutions in Qatar across various sectors.
Field trips featured a Medical Day, sponsored by Sidra Medicine, a member of QF; an Agricultural Day, sponsored by the Qur'anic Botanic Garden, also a member of QF; an Engineering Day, sponsored by the College of the North Atlantic-Qatar; and an Airline Industry Day sponsored by Qatar Airways.
The field trips offered participants the opportunity to connect with professionals in various industries and to learn what to expect from each profession.
The Career Academy program also introduced students to universities in Qatar, including Qatar University, Stenden University of Applied Sciences Qatar, and QF partner universities.
Representatives of these universities attended the final day of the program to provide students with an overview of their academic programs and admission requirements to help those interested in attending make informed academic choices and prepare for university life.
Mohamed al-Tamimi, one of the participating students, took part in this year's Career Academy program, embarking on several field visits to identify the best professional track to pursue.
"I was always interested in specializing in the medical field and found the visit to Sidra Medicine very helpful, as I had the opportunity to gain insight into the industry," he said.
Maryam Almohammed, another participating student, said that the program highlighted the importance of early planning, noting, "deciding early on my undergraduate and university studies will fast track my journey towards achieving my dreams."
Throughout the program, participants engaged in a variety of recreational and educational activities.
For example, students attended a series of handicraft workshops designed to equip them with a wide range of personal and life skills, as well improving their self-confidence.
Also included were tips on developing communication, public speaking, and teamwork skills.
Students who successfully completed the program were awarded participation certificates on the final day of the program.